Author: Mark

Born Bristol, UK Educated: Cleeve House School Bristol, Bristol Grammar School and Downing College Cambridge Ph.D. University of Aberdeen, Winter activity of pipistrelle bats. NERC post-doctoral Research Fellow, Edward Grey Institute, Oxford University Former Conservation Director of the RSPB, 1989-2011

Not all white birds are (sea) gulls

Mark 9 Comments

I’ve been listening to the cricket commentary of the match between Sri Lanka and England over the last few days – it’s going very well for us. The commentators are all still based in the UK but they are doing their best, and doing pretty well, to bring the match to life for us all….

Interesting paper

Mark 5 Comments

I came across this paper partly because it cites a paper I co-authored on Roseate Tern conservation many, many years ago. And the Roseate Tern is a species very close to my heart (see Fighting for Birds Chapter 3, In the pink – roseate terns). It’s a fascinating study which unlocks some of the facts…

What’s up with Woodland Trust?

Mark 4 Comments

This is their pinned Tweet on Twitter and has been for a month; Their online shop is closed; Their Facebook page is similar; Seems quite serious and worrying. I wish the Woodland Trust well but it’s probably time for Woodland Trust to come clean to their supporters and others about what is happening.

Ban driven grouse shooting – debate postponed

Mark Comments Off on Ban driven grouse shooting – debate postponed

This email arrived overnight to tell me that debates in Westminster Hall are now postponed due to COVID. It’s a shame that the ‘Don’t criminalise trespass‘ petition won’t get its well-deserved debate and ‘Ban driven grouse shooting‘ also has to wait for a few more weeks for its latest outing. But it makes quite a…

Guest blog by Celtic Reptile and Amphibian

Mark 14 Comments

Celtic Reptile & Amphibian is an organisation which focusses on ex-situ conservation of UK and European native herps, through captive breeding. Twitter @CelticReptile See more here. Harvey Tweats is one Co-director of Celtic Reptile & Amphibian and focusses on ecology and species restoration. He is a longstanding rewilder and widescale nature restoration advocate, inspired by…

Does the Pope believe in cod?

Mark 6 Comments

Apologies for the title but I couldn’t resist… Although being a person of no faith myself, I sometimes wonder why religions are not much more involved in the moral case for nature conservation and animal welfare. I guess they are probably more involved than I notice but there is no way that they could be…

Hen Harriers and moorland management

Mark 12 Comments

The week after next may see a flurry of activity on the future of driven grouse shooting and Hen Harrier conservation. On Monday 25 January we may see a Westminster Hall debate on driven grouse shooting (following one on trespass) and then on Tuesday and Wednesday 26 and 27 January the much delayed appeal of…